SheHiveTour2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”21196″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]The SheHiveTour is back and better than ever. Scroll down to see when we’re coming to your city. Look back at #SheHiveTour2016. What to expect: Expert led sessions that will teach you tangible business and career skills Networking opportunities Access to senior business leaders Turn up moments and explosions of #AfricanGirlMagic [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”16980″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”16979″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Our Joburg ladies gave us love as usual. Click on the image below to relive the fun from SheHiveJoburg (February 2017).[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”31805″ img_size=”500×400″ onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://sheleadsafrica.org/shehive-joburg/”][vc_column_text]Our sold out SheHive Kaduna (April 2017) was an incredible experience. Check it out by clicking below.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”33424″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” link=”http://sheleadsafrica.org/shehivekaduna/”][vc_column_text]We’re coming to Toronto July 2017 to enjoy the summer weather with you! Click the image below to join us.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”28413″ img_size=”500×400″ onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://sheleadsafrica.org/shehivetoronto/”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Cape Town was fire!!! Reminisce on the fun from SheHive Cape Town by clicking the image below (February 2017).[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”31806″ img_size=”500×400″ onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://sheleadsafrica.org/shehivecapetown/”][vc_column_text]Of course we have to come to Washington DC to pay homage to the city of Olivia Pope. Click the image below to join us (June 2017.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”31823″ img_size=”500×400″ onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://sheleadsafrica.org/shehivedc/”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Don’t see your city on the list? Then let us know that we’re crazy for skipping your hood. Sign up below and get your entire squad to do the same. We come where our community calls.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text] Not sure if you should care about attending a SheHive? You must be crazy! But in any case, this is what you can expect from a She Leads Africa experience: Fun and engaging content: We aren’t boring and strive to deliver business content in a fun and relatable way. Young women like yourself looking to make an impact: Our community is full of smart and ambitious young women who want to live their best professional lives. Access to real business experts: At our events we always have exceptional speakers who have been there and can show you how to do that [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][instagram-feed type=hashtag hashtag=shehivetour2016 num=30 cols=5 height=1000][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
SLAY Festival
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”49527″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.slayfestival.com”][vc_custom_heading text=”Click to here to purchase your SLAY Festival ticket” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.slayfestival.com||target:%20_blank|” css=”.vc_custom_1517168953178{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 3px !important;}”][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRVklcueI24″ align=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”SLAY Festival is a one day celebration of all things incredible, magical, innovative, and entrepreneurial about us and we aren’t afraid to show it.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”What can you expect from SLAY Festival 2018?” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”- More speakers. More innovators. More real talk. More life. In 2018, we’ll have three different stages to bring you even more great speakers to learn from on money and success, arts and culture and health and wellness.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”- Plenty of opportunities to connect directly with experts to learn how to maximize your success in 2018. We’ll have experts in marketing, strategy, finance, and human resources providing free one-on-one coaching. We’re excited to add more career coaches ready to help you with CV review, interview prep, job search tips and building your career brand.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”- Activities that are fun and actually help your life. Ready to learn what investors are looking for? We got you. Looking to explore a career in photography? We’ll have the best in the business. Need to get your budget in check for the new year? We’ll have experts ready to put it down, flip it and reverse it. Join us for exciting masterclasses to learn all of this and more.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”- The best in beauty, hair and overall flyness. Whether you’re at the Clinique experience, finding a simple skin care routine that will work for your skin type or getting a fresh new hair style at the style bar, your fineness will definitely increase by at least 33% before you leave SLAY Festival.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”- Spending of money. We’ll have more than 70 young entrepreneurs with innovative and exciting products. From fashion to home goods to books and everything in between, come ready to discover new products and support local entrepreneurs.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Click to here to purchase your SLAY Festival ticket” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.slayfestival.com||target:%20_blank|” css=”.vc_custom_1517168953178{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 3px !important;}”][vc_separator][vc_custom_heading text=”Click to here follow @SLAYFestival on Instagram” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fslayfestival%2F||target:%20_blank|” css=”.vc_custom_1509493148579{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 2px !important;}”][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1517173250756-1440df59-4092-10″ include=”47396,47418,47419,47420,47421,47422,47423,47424,47425″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Sex tapes, exploitation and public shaming: The case of Chidinma Okeke
[bctt tweet=”How do we end the sexual exploitation of young ambitious women? @MercedesAlfa asks” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] A sex tape was leaked online recently involving Chidinma Okeke, Miss Anambra 2015 and another woman. The Internet has been awash with comments and criticisms. You know Nigerians love a good scandal, even more they love to play judge and jury. Chidinma has been crucified, as some have called for her to be prosecuted. Remember under Jonathan’s government, homosexuality was rendered a criminal offence under the law. This Ventures Africa article points out that we need to be asking the right questions and I agree completely. What exactly was the motive for posting the controversial video online? Who actually leaked the video? Often times, when nude photos or a sex tape is leaked, people focus on condemning the participants especially if they’re women. But the pertinent questions are rarely asked. If we are able to step out of our hypocritical stances for a second, we would ask why the item was posted online in the first place. Well, congratulations to those who fell for the bait. Chidinma Okeke is reportedly only 18 years old. Have we considered that she was very likely exploited by the pageant organisers, or someone with a close link to them? The number of young women and girls who are sexually and economically exploited cannot actually be estimated according to this BBC piece. [bctt tweet=”The number of young women who are sexually and economically exploited cannot be estimated” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] The numbers may be even higher in the pageant industry. It’s alleged that the other woman in the video is also a beauty queen. Shouldn’t we be talking about how to solve the problem of shadowy figures sexually exploiting ambitious women? Exploitation comes in different forms and shades. For Chidinma, it seems to be in the form of revenge porn. Yes, revenge porn really is a thing. Simply put, revenge porn is what it means when a sex tape is leaked without consent. It is, “sexually explicit portrayal of one or more people distributed without their consent”. More and more women are now speaking out about their experiences in a world where women are made to feel ashamed for being exposed online. We should encourage women speaking up and accord them the necessary support to move on from it. If anyone should be shamed, it should be whoever was behind the camera and whoever sent the video out. I’m also side-eyeing anyone who downloaded the video and watched it. I came across a particular comment in which the person asserted that Chidinma Okeke has degraded and lowered the standard of womanhood. Another one claimed that this is one of the direct results of feminism. Sigh! I don’t even know what the standard of womanhood means and how one person’s actions can lower it. The somewhat good news to come out of this is, Chidinma will be receiving an award for her tenacity. I truly hope she’s receiving the support she needs and that this doesn’t spell the end of her career. I’d like to see Chidinma bounce back. Outside the context of sexual exploitation, women have sex. Deal with it. Some women have lesbian or bisexual relations. Gasp! Stop putting women on a pedestal. We aren’t sacred beings. We are human, period. [bctt tweet=”Stop putting women on a pedestal. We aren’t sacred beings. We are human, period. ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Some of us are quirky, loud, rambunctious, braggadocious, flirtatious, and more. Sorry if we don’t conform to your ideals. Most African countries don’t have laws protecting women from revenge porn and other forms of exploitation. Here are some resources you should consider reading for your safety.
How to make the switch from consumer to producer
[bctt tweet=”Most of us consumers never think about how we can join the elite community of producers” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What are some of the things you consume or do daily? If you are anything like me, there’s a newspaper column that I am obsessed with. It brings out issues that greatly resonate with me. I also feel lost when I don’t have my phone. For you, it could be going out to your favourite bar to get some drinks with friends. Or it could be listening to that great music or watching the latest season of Orange is the New black (well, that’s me again). Absolutely everything we use in life was created by someone. Well, apart from the air we breathe and other gifts of nature. Someone went out of their way to create that video game that you can’t get enough of. Unfortunately, most of us just buy things. We never think about how we can also join the elite community of producers. I mean, wouldn’t it feel good if your name was on a product/service that people value? I am going to show you how to get in touch with your fabulous producer side. First, let’s look at the attitudes that define consumers and producers. The consumer attitude Consumers are passive about their ability to grow, reactive about life and unquestioning of their environment. They take life as it is, conforming to the standards set for them by society (or producers). When it comes to their finances, consumers buy their way to financial scarcity, but that is a topic for another day. Consumers wait for other people to create opportunities for them. The producer attitude A producer is someone who makes a product or service. Producers usually live outside their comfort zones by constantly looking at how to improve the word around them. Producers create their own lives. They believe that their destiny is in their hands and that if something is to be, then it is up to them. They create value for other people. [bctt tweet=”Producers are constantly looking at how to improve the word around them ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Why the producer attitude is superior You might be wondering why I am rambling on and on… “What’s the big deal about this? Why should I even bother to be a producer? Doesn’t the world need both producers and consumers?” You are right, the world needs both producers and consumers, otherwise there would be no one to utilize the resources that we produce and vice versa. The producer is the one who makes things happen. S/he goes above and beyond to create value for others (and for themselves). And in the process she creates a legacy for herself which lives on even when they are gone. Think people like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk who are known for the personal computer revolution and for launching a landmark commercial spacecraft respectively. If you want to create a legacy that is worth writing about, you will have to step into a producer role, giving some kind of value to the world. [bctt tweet=”@Gloriakambedha’s 3 steps to switching from consumer to producer” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How to make the switch… So now that you know why it’s important to make the switch, let’s dive straight into how to go about it using these three steps: Step 1: Practice awareness and question every decision Making the switch to a producer starts with acknowledging that everything around you was created by someone who took a chance. See how you can apply your knowledge and skills to create something of value to the world. The more successful producers who get the greatest reward are those who add the greatest value. When you become more aware of your environment, start questioning every decision you make to consume —whether it is to do with your purchases or the way you spend your time or even the information you read. Step 2: Actively process information Every producer needs information. Thankfully, we live in an information age. However, Instead of processing information passively by spending hours online, producers look for way on how this information will change their life. Everyone starts with consuming information but the intention should be to start producing as soon as possible. However, even students don’t have to just be consumers of knowledge. Students can add value through blogging, entrepreneurial efforts, teaching, etc. Step 3: Action Everyone has something to offer the world. Identify what it is you are good at and offer it to the world. It is a good idea to get inspiration through reading blogs, personal development books, listening to podcasts, attending conferences, but the work will still not be done. You have to be willing to sit down and start creating. It does not have to be perfect. All you need is a vision of what you want to create. The Internet has given us the tools for just anyone to be a producer. Use them. If you want to write, you don’t need any approval from an editor, to start your own show, Youtube is available. Do not be passive about making your own unique contribution to the world. Concluding When you first decide to become a producer, you will not see results right away and you might feel like your time is being put to waste. But do not give up. Overtime, your actions will build momentum and this will define the legacy you will leave.
Tino Michelle Mavimba: Idle minds and hands fuel doubt
[bctt tweet=”@Kudzi_Siphiwe talks with Tino Michelle Mavimba, audio engineer and #MotherlandMogul” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] As a #MotherlandMogul, you know that comfort is the ultimate enemy of progress. Moving beyond the familiar is essential for growth. Tino Michelle Mavimba’s story illustrates this principle perfectly. She’s an Audio Engineer who is blazing a trail in South Africa’s audio production industry, which still has very few women. She has worked with the likes of Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) and South Africa’s AKA. But before she set out on her mission of world domination, the ambitious Zimbabwean was a banqueting operative. I sat down with her to find out more about her journey. A few years ago, you had a nice job in hospitality, with a decent career trajectory. Then you decided it wasn’t for you and left. No smooth transition, you just ‘disrupted’ yourself! How did you convince yourself to pack up your bags in the UK, move to another continent, and start over in a totally new field? It was a very hard decision to make. I was someone who had a VIP parking spot in life’s comfort zone. I loved being comfortable, not taking risks and being in control of outcomes. But I reached a stage where I couldn’t ignore how divorced my job was from my talent and passion. For the first time in my life, I had to take ownership of my life, and that was scary. What was also scary was how isolated I felt. It persisted no matter how many people I consulted with, or how much encouragement I got. I accepted that at the end of the day I, and I alone, would bear the consequences of my decision. As a Zimbabwean, I’m aware that people still have traditional mind-sets about careers. I knew I could not expect a round of applause from many people for the choice I was about to make. ‘The dream’ is working out now, but in the challenging moments when you were starting out, you didn’t know it would. How did you push through moments when it seemed like you may have made the wrong choice? I think people who have the courage to ‘chase their dreams’ have a really tough emotional process to work through. For me, the question that always popped into my head was; “Is this realistic?” Over time, I resolved that my response to that should be: “It doesn’t matter”. I became so invested in what I was doing that I was willing to fail a couple of times until I achieved what I set out to achieve. I also found that idle minds and hands fuel doubt and that action is the best antidote to negativity; just keep going. [bctt tweet=”Tino Michelle Mavimba’s 4 pieces of advice to women looking to start over” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What advice would you give someone who is looking to start over? Do your research: Even though it may look like I just dropped the mic and left, a lot of research went into my move from the UK to South Africa. Connect with the right people, and get all the information you need together before you make any huge life changes. Don’t expect comfort: No matter how well you plan, you will be doing something you have never done before, and it will not be easy! You will need all the support you can get: Resist the urge to act like you have it all together. My parents, like-minded friends and SAE Institute were a huge asset to me in the transition. Get ready to create new measures of success: Traditional career path’s come with a level of prestige and ‘certainty’ that we use to measure success. It’s crucial to be very clear about what you want to do, and clearly define what success looks like to you. So fast forward to a few years, you have worked with some really great artists. We spoke briefly about the ‘imposter syndrome’, and how it makes it hard to fully own moments of success. How do you process your ‘big’ moments? The first call I got to work on a big project, I can honestly say I almost fainted! I have played small and just gone with the flow for a huge part of my life. The result of this is I felt undeserving, and the big moments were hard to fully own. I have had to be intentional about shifting my mind-set. By reflecting on the hard work, time and dedication that I put into sharpening my skills, I’m more able to own and celebrate my success. You told me a funny story —when you started out in the industry you wore a fake engagement ring. I notice you don’t wear the ring any more; what lessons have you drawn from being in such a male dominated space? When I started out, I was alarmed at how disproportionate the ratio of male to female was. It was a first for me, and honestly I felt out of place. I felt I had to prove that I was just as good as my male counterparts. In addition, some men see ‘female’ before they see ‘audio engineer’. This means that, not only are you not taken seriously, but you also have to deal with unwanted advances. For me, wearing that ring was a symbolic way of levelling the playing field. Looking back, I don’t know if it really was a deterrent! The reason I no longer wear it is because somewhere along the line, I internalized that symbol. I began to see myself as an audio engineer rather than a fish out of water. I am less annoyed now by men who have less than professional intentions. I am also far less apologetic about demanding that I be treated with respect. In short, I learned I couldn’t control my environment, so I took charge of how I processed it. [bctt tweet=”Tino Michelle Mavimba wore a fake engagement ring when she started out in the industry ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] I’ve
Marcia Lebambo: I want to see my people in better conditions
[bctt tweet=”The Marcia Lebambo Foundation brings Spelling Bees to school learners in townships” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Marcia Lebambo is a woman passionate about developing marginalized communities in rural areas. A self-described village girl who came to Gauteng to claim her piece of gold, Marcia is giving back to the community through education in a unique way. Her foundation uses Spelling Bees to educate school children in rural areas and townships in South Africa. Marcia believes Spelling Bees are a great way to encourage confidence in children. Though she works as a senior campus officer and lecturer, Marcia is pursuing her PhD and is still digging for her gold. Tell us about the Marcia Lebambo Foundation The Marcia Lebambo Foundation was established in 2012 as a non-profit organization focusing on teaching school learners in townships and rural areas writing and reading skills. This is done using a popular competition called a Spelling Bee. In the competition, contestants are asked to spell a broad selection of words, usually with a varying degree of difficulty. This is a comprehensive learning process that allows children to learn the definition, pronunciation, and roots of the words. Learning grammar is not the only benefit, learners are able to enhance vocabulary, competitive spirit, greater knowledge, cognitive skills and confidence. Since 2012, over a thousand learners participated in the program. The initiative was motivated by improving the quality of basic education in the country, especially schools in the rural areas and townships. As an organisation, we believe that the fight for quality education cannot be the responsibility of government alone, but every South African. This is the reason why we are extending a hand to your organisation to help change the plight of our education system. What motivated you to starting Spelling Bees in South Africa? Coming from a rural school where the level of education was very poor, I didn’t value myself as a student. So when I joined TUT as a student in 2005, I felt like I didn’t belong and that affected my confidence a lot. After completing my degree, at only 19 in 2007, I then told myself that I cannot sit and feel sorry for myself. I had to do something not only for myself but other kids in similar backgrounds like mine. I wanted to go back and help kids from previously disadvantaged schools learn how to read and write. Because spoken words are written first, if you can master reading and writing you can master the speaking. In 2012, together with a group of volunteers, I founded the Marcia Lebambo Foundation which organises the Spelling Bee competitions. [bctt tweet=”If you can master reading and writing you can master the speaking” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Coupled with the rapid pace of social media and technology, writing has become a challenge globally, especially for learners in marginalised communities. I believe that if you cannot spell the word, you cannot read, and if you cannot read, you will not be able to write. We literally go school by school sending invitations and requesting collaborations from school teachers, principals and parents. It is very challenging because it is self-funded. But it is worth it. Do you have a favourite book or read much? I love biographies, they tell a story and invite the reader to meet the person behind the person. I call biographies intimate reads. Currently, I am reading Zuma, A Biography by Jeremy Gordin. In between, I’m also reading a local Author Sy Tshabalala’s book titled Being Positive in a Negative World, Daily Supplements of Inspiration. But the pace has been slow because I am doing my PhD which consumes a lot of time on research books and articles and a lot of writing. What keeps you awake at night? To see my community and people in better conditions than they were yesterday. Being raised by parents with no educational background and being the first in the family to receive a university qualification reminds me that I represent my entire community. That responsibility reminds me that I have to rise above the narrow confines of my individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. I am driven by knowing that God has given us powers to be and do anything that we want in life, whether good or bad, the choice lies with us. I am also inspired by ordinary women with no education or employment who use whatever little resources available to sell fruits and vegetables to pay for their children’s education. My question daily is; If they can do it, what stops me? If the late Mandela could move the entire world behind prison bars, what is actually stopping me? That is what inspires me. Why did you choose your profession? I started with a course that I didn’t want to do because I didn’t apply on time to secure a space on the course I wanted which was law. So I went for any that was available and ended with administrative management. I completed it in Cum Laude because I wanted to quickly remove it from my face and register my all-time favourite. But as one can expect, life happened and I ended up doing so many other courses. My qualifications include: Diploma Administrative Management B-tech Strategic Management B-tech Public Management Masters in Entrepreneurship After so many years, it is only now that I have been accepted to study LLB. The plan is to complete my PhD first this year, 2016. I want to be an academic full-time. There still so much work to do especially in the black-dominated universities. [bctt tweet=”Marcia Lebambo was the first in her family to receive a university qualification” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How do you define family? Family is strength, family is love, family is light. To me, family is everything. They keep you grounded, when you go up they celebrate with you, when you go down they cry with you. They are our ultimate life cheerleaders. Three of my siblings are part of the Spelling Bee initiative. I must say
Procrastination: The bad, the ugly, and how to deal with It
[bctt tweet=”You can’t be a #MotherlandMogul if you’re a serial procrastinator, time to break free” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Do you always apologize for delayed work? Do you feel guilty that you missed the deadline again, for the umpteenth time? And if you did finish the work, it was at the last minute after scrambling with time? Well, let’s cut to the chase. You are a serial procrastinator who pushes the production of any work forward to the next day, next week, next month, next year and eventually to never, instead of pulling it forward. For that reason, procrastination is the opposite of productivity. Many people are procrastinators, and they do not even know it. Sometimes procrastination can be good. For example, I sometimes have to push forward writing an article because I just don’t have the right word or phrase to start the piece. But once I get the inspiration, I embark on writing and occasionally, I have to type it while on my toes. Do you really need to procrastinate? If you can’t push forward looking good before going out for a date, you shouldn’t hold back writing that proposal that you have been sitting on for the past three months. Today is the time! To make sense of procrastination, its effects and how to deal with it, I caught up with Ken Munyua, a business support and training manager at Talent Recruit Limited in Nairobi, Kenya. According to Mr. Munyua, who is also a psychologist, “Procrastination is the inability to undertake urgent duties with the haste they deserve.” He adds that it could be as a result of a habit — “choosing not to take things seriously and execute them promptly, which later turns into bad behaviour.” “Procrastination is both a behavioural and a psychological issue. It starts as a habit and turns to uncontrollable aspects.” [bctt tweet=”Extensive inactive procrastination can also contribute to lowering one’s self-esteem” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Self-loathing? Apart from degenerating into bad behaviour, extensive inactive procrastination can also contribute to lowering one’s self-esteem. How, you ask? Munyua notes that the inability to perform necessary tasks always leads one to be in problem be it in school, at home or in business. “The constant reminder and backlash from the seniors make one feel as if they are victimized or segregated from the others.” What’s more, this can cause you to loathe yourself for not being able to meet individual or collective goals on time. No one wants to feel less of a person for always being late in doing something, and when one does, they may feel unwanted or unloved, leading to a downward trend of one’s self-esteem. Many women in business are caught up in the procrastination web due to a few reasons. Munyua outlined three major reasons why procrastination is common: The wish to be perfect: Some people wait to do work to its best. At the end, they do it in a hurry to the point of not delivering it well. Poor planning: Some business women like to plan work in terms of urgency and importance. Thus, there are delays on the important aspects of work. Others are easily swayed away by distractors. [bctt tweet=”@MaureenMurori sought expert help in this article on overcoming procrastination ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How to overcome procrastination “A habit which grows over time becomes a bad addiction. Do not form it; learn to concentrate on what is your task before any other duty,” advises Munyua. He adds that people should learn to avoid distractions, be they human or technological. Avoid delays: Always live to do what is expected now and not tomorrow! Draw a plan: It is advisable to set priorities and consider the urgency of the work. Write it down on paper: When it is written on paper, work becomes real and demands commitment. Set personal deadlines before the stipulated ones. This ensures that you are always ahead. Reward yourself: Rewarding yourself for achieved goals, motivates you to work harder to achieve more in future. Rewards can be as trivial as ticking an achieved activity, to a chocolate bar or a holiday in Hawaii. The choice is yours. Avoid distractions like social media, and friends who do not share in your vision. Endeavour to learn from those who had the same issues and were able to resolve them. When all is said and done, procrastination can be a symptom of an underlying technical or moral failure. It is important to check and recheck why you need to push work forward. Could it be due to the fact that the work isn’t working for you? If so, you should plan to change the work or your approach to it.
Dear Nigeria, we really need to do better for the girl child
Sometimes I disconnect from current issues because I feel powerless at all the debauchery going on, especially in Nigeria. It was the International day of the girl child only a few days ago but the truth is that we have such a long way to go in according the right value to girls and women. Going through my Twitter feed, I came across the link to a Bella Naija story currently making the rounds. Apparently, the Emir of Katsina state is alleged to have abducted a fourteen year old girl and forced her into marriage. The Emir is at least fifty years her senior. Please let’s process that for a second. It doesn’t matter if he was eighteen or twenty because it would still be wrong. But, for someone who is old enough to be her grandfather, it makes it even more appalling. And yet, he is supposed to be a leader who should set precedence helping his people to do better. Just like in Ese Oruru‘s case, it is alleged that the girl Habiba Isiyaku was abducted and forced to convert to another religion, Islam. Apparently, the Katsina Emirate Council considers the marriage irreversible. It was reported that the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has tried to intervene in this case after the girl’s parents cried foul. He condemned the action and appealed to the Emir also stating that in his own religion, a girl could not be given out in marriage without her parents’ consent. But can we not make this about religion? Because that would be problematic. This is not a Christian or Muslim polity. We are governed by constitutional laws, no? The legal framework I believe comes from a humanitarian perspective. At fourteen years, she is considered a minor and CANNOT consent to marriage. Child marriages must be abolished and the Nigerian senate needs to take a stronger stance towards this. What’s more, the judiciary must begin to enforce the law in this regard. This should be an imprisonable offence. No one should be above the law either. We need to send a strong message throughout our great nation that we as the Nigerian state, do not condone child marriages. In many constitutions, this is regarded to as statutory rape. Let’s also recognise the fact that several crimes have allegedly been committed here. Abduction, domestic violence (because emotional abuse), statutory rape (assuming the ‘marriage’ has been consummated). Let’s outlaw this societal scourge and demand the highest penalty for the offender. If we continue to shout tradition or religion, we will go nowhere. Nigeria please, we really need to do better for the girl child. Every one of us is Ese Oruru, and Habiba Isiyaku, and the Chibok girls. We want unfettered access to education, right to adulthood, right to healthcare, right to economic opportunities.
5 things to do before leaving school
[bctt tweet=”All students should make plans for life after school if they plan to be #MotherlandMoguls” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] One of the biggest mistakes students make is avoiding the future. That is making no plans for after school or laying down foundations for post graduate life. Many times, you see graduates sitting at home even after the one year National Youth Service without potential jobs or side gigs and no money. With the rate of unemployment, post-graduate life is scary. That’s why you shouldn’t be slacking! Here are a few tips on things to do before leaving school so you’re on top of your game after graduation. 1. Save up Whether you are in your first year, your last year or in-between, if you haven’t started, it is time to get on the bandwagon. A little sum put away at intervals makes a substantial sum at the end of the day. Sometimes, the money is just not enough, we get that. Still, shaving a little off the top before facing your list of needs and wants, helps build a safety blanket. This may help finance a start-up venture or provide sustenance during the dry after-school days. 2. Lay it all out Things don’t always go the way we plan but trust me girl, it feels good to have a plan. Now, I am not just talking about relationship and marriage plans, which are needed. I am talking business and entrepreneurial visions. Map it out. Map the road to those goals out too. Yes, things change, life happens, and sometimes we have to make some tweaks to our initial plans. Yet, it is necessary to have something to look forward to after school and to work towards them. Your plan will determine how you work in school. Your grade points and your business life will also be geared towards those visions. Think this is too much work? Don’t, you’ll be thanking us in the future. [bctt tweet=”Your future plans will determine how you work while in school” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 3. Make use of the opportunity If you plan on working within your course of study then being in school is the right time to become a member of the professional body of your course. Here’s a tip, it is usually cheaper to join professional bodies as students than as postgraduates. Another thing to make use of is online courses. Most campuses have free or cheap WiFi access and most service providers have special plans that are campus oriented. Use this to your advantage and get a boatload of free or cheap relevant online courses without breaking the bank on data charges. Business wise, you can use the opportunity to hone your skills, go online and improve your work. Though the workload might be bulky, students still have a great chance to fit in extracurricular activities. So, rather than spending too much time partying it up (this is needed but it’s not a priority), carve out time to use what is available to you to get what you want. [bctt tweet=”Start making friendships that will last a lifetime while in university” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 4. Squad goals Yes! Start making friendships that will last a lifetime. This is the best period to build your support team and your squad. You can figure out people of like minds, goals and visions, people with the ability to propel you. No haters, slackers or scrubs need apply. You need true friends to stand by you. Friends whose lanes cross with yours, but never clash. This can be the foundation of an empire tomorrow. Squad shopping is slightly hard but not impossible. Making close-knit friendships post-school can be hard but in school you have lost of time for girls night out and everything in between. You get to plant, water and grow something beautiful —your squad. 5. Please LIVE! You know the saying, “don’t just go through school, let school go through you”? Live, savour every moment, do not zone out and do not go through school in a haze! Make sure your time in school is filled with memorable days. Keep a journal if necessary (which is like totally necessary). Make mistakes and learn. Get yourself out of messes, dust yourself and go on. Let your school life be one massive “WHOOP!!!!” with a lot of “yays!” and a few “oops!” [bctt tweet=”Live, savour every moment, do not zone out and do not go through school in a haze!” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Go all round, do not be fixed, fit in, then stand out. Complicated, yeah? But no. There are places to fit in and there are other places where you need to do you. Be well rounded, academically, socially and spiritually. Make every moment count and have an amazing squad to share them with. Finally, here is a toast to you for the amazing journey you will embark on.
Christine Khasinah-Odero: You can live out your purpose even after becoming a mum
Ever heard of “Mumpreneur”? This term captures the essence of being a mum and entrepreneur. At the forefront of inspiring Mumpreneurs in Kenya is Supamamas, founded by Christine Khasinah-Odero. At first glance, Supamamas is a marketing and events company but when you look further, you find a company that inspires mums. Through events and their website, Supamamas encourages mums to remain in business by imparting the skills needed to thrive. An award winning entrepreneur, Christine created this platform specifically for mums to let women know that they can continue to move towards their dreams even as mothers. If you’re looking to be a flawless Mumpreneur, this one is for you! What makes a woman a Supamama? What makes a woman a Supamama is living your life with intent. To live out the best version of you as a human, as a woman, as a mum and as a professional, whether in business or employed. It is also about striving to be the best version of you. Just because you have become a mum, doesn’t mean that you cannot live out your purpose or dreams. Being a Supamama is about giving your family, your children and society the best of you but not forgetting to invest in yourself. A Supamama continuously learns and strives to achieve her goals. She is also that mum who accepts that she cannot be a super woman. She knows that it’s okay to ask for help and accept help. Tell us, how do you inspire mums in business? When it comes to mums in business, there are specific events we put together that provide an opportunity for Mumpreneurs to come and learn from notable speakers who have been there and are thriving. Our speakers share their personal journeys from which mums are able to learn from. Our invited guests also share practical business tips gained from their experience running businesses. At Supamamas, we also inspire mums in business by sharing their journey on our website. This gives them an opportunity to share how far they have come, while at the same time giving their businesses visibility and connecting them to possible customers. What do young mothers get wrong when it comes to raising children? Helicopter parenting: This means hovering over our kids and being there at their beck and call. We want our kids to have it easy and not fall in any way. So, instead of letting them experience adversity, we clear the path. We remove obstacles to make their life easy, forgetting adversity is a part of life. Only by facing it can our children build life-coping skills they’ll need down the road. So while it seems like we’re doing them a favour, we’re really stunting their growth. We’re putting short-term pay-offs over long-term well-being. Compensating for what they didn’t have as children: Some parents provide over and above the basic needs of their children. Whenever the child asks for something, they give in, literally to everything. This way the kids never learn the value of delayed gratification and not getting everything now. Not spending enough quality time with their children: This is because our lives have become so busy. We either spend many hours working or when at home, get easily distracted by other things. Mums need to make a conscious effort to be present when with their children. It’s best to realize that it’s not the quantity of time we spend with them but the quality. What makes Supamamas stand out from other marketing and events companies? What makes Supamamas different as a company is that we have created a platform that provides an opportunity for companies to connect specifically with mums. Providing an opportunity for companies and brands to engage and have meaningful conversations with their customers or potential customers. Our events are also different in that they are conversational, experiential and interactive. This provides an opportunity for brands to go beyond selling and marketing but also to receive feedback and meaningfully engage. Our events are personal and intimate. Mums who attend them feel special because they can be heard and express themselves. It’s like being part of a big family of mums where we all have a common goal to be the best we can be. The warmth that mums experience at events organized by Supamamas is exceptional. Beyond business we also are keen on mentorship and community service and have organized numerous initiatives mobilizing mums and corporates to give back. One of our notable CSR was a red carpet event for cancer survivors. In 2013, you were a finalist in the “Most Influential Women in Business in Africa SME” category in South Africa’s CEO Magazine. In 2015, you were Country Winner 2015, what do you think changed at Supamamas to cause this win? It was an honour being selected as one of the Country Winner 2015, CEO Magazine Africa’s most influential Women in Business. I believe what played a big part is staying consistent and continuously learning. I’m always looking for what I can do to improve and grow the events, as well as grow our online following and engagement. As an entrepreneur you need to continuously improve, knowing that there is always room to do better. What four skills do Mumpreneurs need to master to avoid burning out? Make your well-being a priority: Setting up a business and growing it is tough. It can really take a toll on you, not only physically but mentally. Mumpreneurs need to make a conscious effort to take care of themselves to push through and prevent burnout. That means eating well, exercising and getting adequate sleep. Nurture friendships and create a support system: For instance, your support system can be with other entrepreneurs. With them, you can share your experiences, frustrations and celebrate the little gains. Being around like-minded people helps to ease the pressure and gives you a sounding board and room to exhale. Creating focus and having a plan: This gives you an idea of what you want to